Tuesday, October 31, 2006
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Hugh Hewitt Sets The Record Straight
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Posted by:
Hugh Hewitt at
2:55 PM
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Mark Halperin was upset by my conclusion that he is a very liberal MSMer. So I offered him the space below to make his case as to why I --or you-- cannot come to the conclusion that I have come to and retain. Arguing for a sort of "sovereign immunity" from opinions being formed about his ideology and agenda is at first baffling and then humorous. Smart and pleasant, but the condescension in his offense taking is startling. This is the MSM disease, one associated with all aristocracies --that it will not endure criticism or questioning, is easily offended, and quick to cast aspersions on opponents.
For the record, Mark Halperin e-mailed me and asked if he could be a guest. Not only did I agree, I thought his position worthy of a three hour interview and the offer of a return visit. His anger with me comes from my opinion that he is very liberal, and as I explained below, I don't think it is easy to come to any other conclusion with the evidence at hand.
I report, and interview. You decide.
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"MH: I think 95’s well overstated…
HH: He said 15-25:1 in the Washington Post, liberal to conservative. Do you think that’s fair?
MH: Absolutely.…"
15:1 is 93%
25:1 is 96%
Halperin may write well, but he should bone up on some basic math. |
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If you call me a very strong Miami Dolphins fan, and I am unwilling to confirm or deny my attitude toward the Dolphins, I should say, "I regard your opinion as unproven, but otherwise, I have no comment."
Whence the animus? Having the option of announcing his politics, he chooses not to, and then takes umbrage when others make educated guesses. Why?
Let him disabuse Mr. Hewitt or keep his mouth shut, but in either case, let him be polite. |
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I think I side with Halperin on this one. He was a courteous and straightforward guest. He did not bloviate or insult or say anything mean about anybody. If you, Hugh, were trying to convict him of being a liberal in a court of law I doubt very much that any jury of either his our your peers would convict him based on the remarkably circumstantial nature of your evidence. You assert that his far-left liberalism is "beyond a reasonable doubt." To make that assertion is to take the role of a public prosecutor. That is not the usual role taken by an otherwise friendly interviewer and seems, somehow, out of character for you.
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Halperin isn't exactly well-liked on the left. While some claim "The Note" wants Democrats elected, many on the left see the opposite. The Note has been getting ripped in lefty circles for a few years now, and recently Halperin has been called out by Media Matters for some of his statements regarding the Michael J. Fox controversy.
Seriously, you can have Mark Halperin, he is no lefty hero. |
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And Halperin is Gorbachev. He is willing to open up, but wants to do it on his terms.
His effort will not succeed.
At least he is ethical and did forth rightly condemn the entire CBS Rahtergate scam.
Hang tough, Hugh. They are big boots to fill, but you are in effect playing the role of Reagan to Halperin's Gorby.
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I report, and interview. You decide
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Sadly, "I report, you decide" turns you into the al-jeezerah-rah-rah of the Town Hall.
Why? Even though it sounds like a fair statement, it is hopelessly biased, because too often it means 'we show or say what happened, and you decide'. Well, CNN showed a sniper hitting a soldier - we report, you decide, right?
With Journalism 101 experience, you understand that 'raw reporting' is seldom unbiased.
Come up the learning curve, Hugh, before your hole is too deep, maybe. |
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High,
I listened to the entire interview; it was a really good interview and I thought Halperin was very candid and expressed his views well. I don't understand why he is suddenly so upset with being cast as an exreme Liberal; unless maybe he is embarrassed to be cast in that light. If that is the case, he should simply state it as such, as we all make adjustments as we grow in life. I thought the information coming out of that interview was exactly what I have believed to be true for many years now, however it was refreshing to hear it coming from a man that has lived in that environment for so many years. The answer he gave regarding the Liberal biased towards military, gays, & abortion was very revealing; especially the admission about gays.
You have been on fire lately Hugh; keep on it, as your program is becoming the fastest paced and most intelligent program (of it's kind) on radio. |
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